Auston Matthews sends clear message after Gavin McKenna gets benched against Sabres
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Auston Matthews says Gavin McKenna will be hungry to respond after being benched in the Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime loss to the Sabres.
Auston Matthews has Gavin McKenna's back.
The Maple Leafs captain said the rookie will use his benching as fuel after Toronto dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to the Buffalo Sabres.
McKenna, the 2026 first overall pick, played just 6:36 and did not take another shift after the 10:20 mark of the second period.
Head coach Jim Hiller said he went away from the youngster because Toronto took too many penalties and the flow of the game got chopped up.
Matthews has his back
Matthews described it as something every player runs into at some point.
Nobody wants to be there, he admitted, but the whole room has McKenna's back.
He expects the rookie to come out with extra motivation next time and said he is looking forward to watching it.
The captain also pointed to miscommunication as a factor in the loss.
Toronto created most of the chances, but defensive breakdowns and rush chances in the third period cost them a second point.
He did not feel the overall approach was off in the third, since Toronto mostly protected the puck, and pinned the result on a few costly mistakes.
Matthews said the forwards need to do a better job supporting the defencemen in their own zone.
"I think those things kinda happen sometimes. I mean, everybody's been in that situation before. It's not necessarily the situation you wanna be in, but we've all got his back. I know a game like tonight's gonna just make him hungry for the next one to go out there and compete and dominate. I'm excited to watch that."
- Auston Matthews
- Auston Matthews
Tavares leaves the game early
Adding to the frustration, John Tavares left early in the third period after an awkward fall following a collision with Sabres forward Josh Norris in the defensive zone.
Matthews said he did not see the play but the team is thinking about him.
Toronto was essentially down to ten forwards by the end, so all eyes will be on McKenna in the next game.
Matthews clearly expects a big response.
The loss also let a divisional rival gain ground, so there is no shortage of urgency.
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